WINTER 2020 BUILDING BRIDGES AWARDS BANQUET CELEBRATES COMMUNITY
2019 Building Bridges Award Winners
From L to R: Carrie Beier, Superintendent; Donna Senko (REM), Steve Lippert Advocacy Award; Bill Myers, Above and Beyond; Geoff Palmer (Sandusky Central Catholic Schools), Employer of the Year; Shaun Zeno, Betty Rinderle Award for Success; Sgt. Tracey Susana (City of Sandusky), Opening Doors; and State Senator Theresa Gavarone.
Every year the Erie County Board of Developmental Disabilities collects nominations from community members and county board staff in an effort to recognize outstanding individuals that help make our mission to Inspire, Empower and Support possible. We recieved an impressive 47 nomination submissions and the October banquet boasted its largest crowd to date, over 160 guests. All nominees were announced and award winners recieved a trophy as well as a commendation certificate from suprise guest, State Senator Theresa Gavarone. It was a beautiful evening full of inspiration, success stories and personal achievements.
*An assortment of photos from the beautiful evening at Mesenberg Plaza Place; we are grateful for those who attend this banquet to honor and celebrate all of our nominees and award winners.
Erie County Board of Developmental Disabilities | 4405 Galloway Road | Sandusky, OH | 44870 | (419) 626-0208 | www.eriecbdd.org
Every year, on the first Saturday in December, the Erie County Board of Developmental Disabilities is transformed into a winter wonderland for the annual Santa’s Workshop event. Our 2019 event marked 11 years and yielded the highest attendance to date. County Board staff are proud to offer this community opportunity so that local families can access and create free, fun holiday memories.
chosen as 2019 WEEK OF SERVICE recipient Our Superintendent, Carrie Beier, has chosen to make our Week of Service, originally part of the Ohio Association of County Boards 50th Anniversary, an annual event in Erie County. Each year a new local organization will be chosen OHgo was our 2019 benefactor. County Board staff spent the week volunteering at various OHgo community events and collected toiletries for their mobile food pantries. Sports Force Parks supports the ECBDD Week of Service by hosting a Charity Car Show and allows guests free access to the park. Thanks to the extreme generosity and support of Sports Force Parks and our community, we were able to present OHgo with a check for over $1,100, plus totes full of donated toiletry supplies. “This week reminds us all of the many gifts we have in our lives and that giving to others who are not as blessed is how we do our part in caring for our neighbors,” Carrie explained.
2019 Week of Service, clockwise from top left: Superintendent Carrie Beier and Sports Force Parks Event Coordinator Mitchell Sweet present OHgo representatives with the donation check; SSA’s with OHgo’s Kendra Faulkner helping to pack food boxes; ECBDD staff volunteering at an OHgo community event; Final toiletry drive products, all donated to OHgo.
DODD Director Davis visits Erie County On November 25th the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) Director Jeff Davis spent time in Erie County on his quest to visit all 88 Ohio county boards. Director Davis started off the day with a casual Q&A session attended by individuals served, local service providers and county board management staff. He then received a tour of our facility, presentation of our history and services and the day concluded with a staff luncheon in his honor. County Board staff enjoyed meeting the Director and sharing the needs and successes in Erie County.
C f p t d u h
An accurate census count helps bring funding to your community. Census 2020 results will affect the course of the next 10 years, determining how the federal government will distribute more than $675 billion dollars to state and local programs. The Erie County Board of Developmental Disabilities relies on federal funding to support individuals with developmental disabilities. In addition, businesses use census data to decide where to build factories, offices and stores. City planners and developers use the data to plan homes and improve neighborhoods. Population count data also helps decide where new schools, hospitals and public safety resources are needed. Our Erie County community continues to grow; without accurate data, organizations will have less money to serve more people.
• In 2019, there were approximately 926 people (infants through senior citizens) who were eligible for ECBDD supports. • Our Early Intevention Home Visiting program completed 2,793 home visits for families with children aged birth to 3 years. • 109 people with a developmental disability are working in the community with employment supports. • Due to funding, 26 people had access to technology support for living independently in the community.
Several years ago a partnership was formed between Firelands Regional Medical Center and the Erie County Board of Developmental Disabilities Early Intervention program to allow FRMC nursing students to team up with Early Intervention staff for clinical hours and observation. This year, the students had the opportunity to plan and develop two community events for Early Intervention families; Fall Sensory Fun and the annual Toddler Turkey Trot. These events are geared towards families with children aged 0-3 and are inclusive of all abilities. An example of activities included: sensory “squishy” bags containing pumpkin “guts” and googly eyes, a giant pumpkin stacker, a pie matching game and turkey ball toss. The students did a great job creating a fun and interactive atmosphere for our families!
Hello! I want to start by thanking our community partners and collaborators for their support and commitment to the individuals and families that we serve. Each year we are blessed to work with local businesses, school districts and city/county agencies to coordinate the needed supports and services to those with developmental disabilities. Some of our priorities for 2020 and beyond are: • •
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We will be working on updating our Three-Year Strategic Plan. We will be collaborating with Erie County schools and the community to develop a plan to become a “Trauma Informed Community.” These efforts will help us better serve people and families who have experienced crisis, toxic stress or trauma in their lives. The Board will work to bring more technology opportunities to people with developmental disabilities to increase their level of independence and quality of life. We will be developing supports for Erie County employers and persons with developmental disabilities to enhance employment opportunities.
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We will be establishing quality practices and procedures to deliver a positive customer experience for those we support and the agencies we work with. We will continue to promote community engagement and self-advocacy activities to support people to achieve a good life.
This Board is very fortunate to have compassionate and dedicated staff who are committed to our mission to Inspire, Empower and Support individuals and their families. We look forward to partnering with the community and its citizens to support people with developmental disabilities in 2020.
Erie County Board of Developmental Disabilities
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID SANDUSKY, OH Permit 56
Open Monday through Friday | 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM 4405 Galloway Road | Sandusky, OH 44870 PH: (419) 626-0208 | www.eriecbdd.org BOARD MEMBERS: David Stuck, President Howard Collins, Vice President | Stacie Schmid, Secretary DavidDanhoff|MarkHarrington|JohnHoty|MelissaTomaro Mission: To inspire, empower and support individuals and their families. Vision: Individuals will achieve personal success. Values: Integrity and Trust | Mutual Respect | Equality Collaboration and Teamwork | Personal Responsibility
Upcoming Events Families with babies & toddlers up to age 3 Every Tuesday in our play area 10 am to 11 am
Board-sponsored events Business After Hours Sensory-Friendly Easter Wightman Wieber Safety Fair Sandusky Bay Pavilion Stars and Stripes Celebration Washington Park Top to Bottom: Cookie decorating class instructed by local business, Bake Erie, at Erie MetroParks Art in the Park; Volunteers and staff passed out candy and goodies at Cedar Point Trick-or-Treat; Posing with Veterans at the Serving Our Seniors SeniorFest luncheon during the Erie County Fair.
Charity Car Show at Sports Force Parks